Mr.
Harry A. Marmer,
former Assistant Chief, Division of Tides and Currents, Coast
and Geodetic Survey, died on November 5, 1953, at George Washington
Hospital, Washington, D.C. Mr. Marmer retired from the Coast
and Geodetic Survey at the end of August after an outstanding
career covering a period of 46 years.

Mr. Marmer was born in Proskurof, Ukraine (Russia)
on June 21, 1885, and came to the United States in 1889. He
was graduated from Rutgers University in 1907 with a B.S. degree
in engineering and that year entered on duty with the Coast
and Geodetic Survey where he devoted his entire professional
degree. In 1931, Mr. Marmer received a M.S. degree from Rutgers
University.

During his long years of service with the Bureau,
Mr. Marmer won international recognition as expert consultant
in the fields of tides, currents, tidal datum planes, and related
oceanographic subjects. He served as Assistant Chief of the
Division of Tides and Currents from 1920 until his retirement.
Prior to that he was Chief Tidal Mathematician and Chief of
the Section of Field Work of the Division.

Mr. Marmer was author of two books entitled,
“ The Tide” and “The Sea,” recognized
as standard texts. He was also author of the following Bureau
publications: Tides and Currents in New York Harbor, Coastal
Currents along the Pacific Coast of the United States, Tidal
Datum Planes, and Chart Datums. Since his publications are authoritative
in the field of oceanography, they have been used by the Supreme
Court of the United States in cases involving riparian rights.
Numerous articles written by Mr. Marmer on tides, currents,
and general oceanography have appeared in various journals and
magazines in this country and abroad. He established tide stations
in the United States, South America, and the Pacific Islands.
Two stations in which he took particular pride are those located
in the Straits of Magellan and Guadalcanal.

Mr. Marmer was the recipient of many awards
and citations, the most notable being the Alexander Agassiz
Medal which was awarded to him by the National Academy of Sciences
for original contribution in the science of oceanography. He
also received the 1949 Department of Commerce Gold Medal for
exceptional service to the nation.

Mr. Marmer maintained active membership in
the following organizations: American Association for the Advancement
of Science, American Society of Civil Engineers, Assocation
of American Geographers, American Congress on Surveying and
Mapping, American Geophysical Union, Washington Philosophical
Society, Cosmos Club, and the U.S. Naval Institute.

Mr. Marmer is survived by his wife who resides
at 7106 7th Street NW, Washington 12, D.C. He is also survived
by a daughter, Mrs. Nancy M. Thompson, and a son, Mr. Kalmon
E. Marmer.